Novel pathogenic alterations in pediatric and adult desmoid-type fibromatosis - A systematic analysis of 204 cases.

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF, aggressive fibromatosis) is a non-metastasizing mesenchymal neoplasm of deep soft tissue with a tendency towards local recurrence. Genetic alterations affecting canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling are reported in the majority of DTF. While most sporadic DTF harbor somatic mutations in CTNNB1, germline mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) are known to occur in hereditary DTF types (FAP, Gardner-Syndrome). Additional single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in AKT1 (E17K) and BRAF (V600E) were reported in pediatric DTF with potential clinical implications. We performed targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a large cohort of 204 formalin-fixed DTF samples, comprising 22 pediatric cases (patients age ≤18 years). The mutational status was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Overall, deleterious CTNNB1 mutations were detected in 89% of DTF, most frequently affecting the serine/threonine phosphorylation sites T41 and S45 of ß-catenin. While the T41A CTNNB1 mutation was significantly more often identified in the mesenterial localization, DTF originating from extra-intestinal sites more frequently harbored the S45P CTNNB1 alteration. Beyond common mutations in CTNNB1, additional SNVs were demonstrated in 7% of the DTF cohort and in 18% of the pediatric DTF subgroup. The mutational spectrum included deleterious mutations in AKT1 (G311S/D and T312I), ALK (R806H and G924S), AR (A159T), EGFR (P848L), ERBB2 (H174Y), IDH2 (H354Y), KIT (V559D), RET (T1038A), SDHA (R325M), and SDHD (R115W), as characterized by in silico prediction tools. In conclusion, our study indicates that DTF may harbor a broader mutational spectrum beyond CTNNB1 mutations, comprising targetable alterations including the herewith first reported imatinib-sensitive KIT V559D mutation in DTF.

Síndrome de Gardner-Diamond. Presentación de un caso / Gardner-Diamond syndrome: A case report

RESUMEN El sindrome de Gardner- Diamond conocido también como púrpura psicógena o síndrome de autosensibilización eritrocitaria es muy poco frecuente. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 50 años, blanco, ingresado en el Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente "Faustino Pérez Hernández" por síndrome febril agudo, cefalea holocraneana, epistaxis y hemolacria. En el examen físico realizado se notó la salida de lágrimas con sangre, por el ángulo interno de ambos ojos y epistaxis. La inyección intradérmica en la cara dorsal del muslo izquierdo de 0,1 mL de sangre autóloga, no indujo reacción equimótica. La inyección de 0,1 mL de solución salina al 0,9 % como control en el muslo contralateral resultó negativa. Sobre la base del examen clínico y otras pruebas, se concluyó como un Síndrome de Gardner-Diamond. Esta infrecuente enfermedad debe ser considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial de un síndrome purpúrico de etiología no bien precisada, fundamentalmente en pacientes con problemas psiquiátricos (AU).

ABSTRACT The Gardner-Diamond syndrome, also known as psychogenetic purpura or erythrocyte autosensitization syndrome is very few frequent. The case of a white patient aged 50 years is presented. He entered the Service of Internal Medicine of the Teaching Clinic-surgical Hospital "Faustino Pérez Hernández" because of an acute fever syndrome, holocraneal headache, epistaxis and haemolacria. At the physical examination it was stated the flow of tears with blood, through the internal angle of both eyes and epistaxis. The intradermal injection of 0.1 ml of autologous blood in the left thigh dorsal side did not induce an ecchymotic reaction. The injection of 0.1 ml of 0.9 % saline solution as control in the contralateral side was negative. On the basis of the clinical examination and other tests, the authors arrived to the conclusion it is a Gardner-Diamond syndrome. This infrequent disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a purpuric syndrome of non-good précised etiology, mainly in patients with psychiatric problems (AU).

Síndrome de Gardner-Diamond. Presentación de un caso / Gardner-Diamond syndrome: A case report

RESUMEN El sindrome de Gardner- Diamond conocido también como púrpura psicógena o síndrome de autosensibilización eritrocitaria es muy poco frecuente. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 50 años, blanco, ingresado en el Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente "Faustino Pérez Hernández" por síndrome febril agudo, cefalea holocraneana, epistaxis y hemolacria. En el examen físico realizado se notó la salida de lágrimas con sangre, por el ángulo interno de ambos ojos y epistaxis. La inyección intradérmica en la cara dorsal del muslo izquierdo de 0,1 mL de sangre autóloga, no indujo reacción equimótica. La inyección de 0,1 mL de solución salina al 0,9 % como control en el muslo contralateral resultó negativa. Sobre la base del examen clínico y otras pruebas, se concluyó como un Síndrome de Gardner-Diamond. Esta infrecuente enfermedad debe ser considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial de un síndrome purpúrico de etiología no bien precisada, fundamentalmente en pacientes con problemas psiquiátricos.

ABSTRACT The Gardner-Diamond syndrome, also known as psychogenetic purpura or erythrocyte autosensitization syndrome is very few frequent. The case of a white patient aged 50 years is presented. He entered the Service of Internal Medicine of the Teaching Clinic-surgical Hospital "Faustino Pérez Hernández" because of an acute fever syndrome, holocraneal headache, epistaxis and haemolacria. At the physical examination it was stated the flow of tears with blood, through the internal angle of both eyes and epistaxis. The intradermal injection of 0.1 ml of autologous blood in the left thigh dorsal side did not induce an ecchymotic reaction. The injection of 0.1 ml of 0.9 % saline solution as control in the contralateral side was negative. On the basis of the clinical examination and other tests, the authors arrived to the conclusion it is a Gardner-Diamond syndrome. This infrequent disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a purpuric syndrome of non-good précised etiology, mainly in patients with psychiatric problems.

Recurrent desmoids determine outcome in patients with Gardner syndrome: a cohort study of three generations of an APC mutation-positive family across 30 years.

PURPOSE: Screening of Gardner syndrome (GS) patients is tailored towards prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, many patients suffer from desmoid tumors, which are challenging to treat due to invasive growth and local recurrence. The aims of our study were to determine the effectiveness of screening in GS and analyze outcome of desmoid tumors by treatment modality. METHODS: This was a cohort study of a family of 105 descendants with GS. All family members who agreed were screened by endoscopy, and colorectal resection was performed upon pending malignancy. Resectable desmoids were excised, whereas large tumors were treated by a combination of brachytherapy (BT) and radiotherapy (RT). Main outcome measures were the incidence of CRC and overall and disease-specific mortality (ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT01286662). RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 105 family members have GS. Preventive colorectal resections were performed in 16 patients (15 %), with one death due to gastric cancer. In four patients who denied screening endoscopy, invasive tumors of the colon (three patients) and stomach developed. Of 33 desmoid tumors, 10 (30 %) were located in the mesentery, 17 (52 %) in the abdominal wall, and 6 (18 %) in extra-abdominal sites. Excision of 12 desmoids was performed in eight patients. Four desmoids were treated by BT and RT and showed full or partial remission. CONCLUSIONS: Provided adequate screening, good long-term control of colorectal tumors is achievable. However, desmoid tumors determine survival and quality of life in many patients. Our data suggest good local control using a combination of brachytherapy/radiotherapy in large desmoids unsuitable for surgical resection.

[Gardner syndrome: clinical and epidemiologic up to date]. / Attualità cliniche nella sindrome di Gardner: contributo casistico.

In 1950 EJ Gardner first described a new syndrome characterized by (1) familial colonic polyposis, (2) multiple osteomas, (3) soft tissues cysts and (4) fibrous lesions. Thereafter, in 1975 Watne and coll. have demonstrated the occurence, in patients affected by Gardner syndrome, of the early onset of osteomas and dental inclusions in maxillary bones. Gardner syndrome is actually considered a severe life treathening condition due to the poor quality of life and the evolutive pattern of colonic polyps to colon cancer in 100% of cases. The aim of this paper is the review of the pathophysiologic and clinical aspects of Gardner syndrome, with report of institutional clinical data about epidemiology and clinical presentation of such condition, attempting to elaborate a clinical protocol for early detection of that.

[Report of a case of Gardner's syndrome: clinical and epidemiologic considerations and review of the literature]. / A proposito di un caso di "Sindrome di Gardner": considerazioni clinico epidemiologiche e revisione della letteratura.

Familial adenomatous polyposis is a hereditary clinical syndrome characterised by the presence of numerous adenomatous polyps of the colon and rectum and by lesions in other organs. The disease affects various different tissues and characteristically presents a variable biological and clinical behaviour. Colon polyps are precancerous lesions and the certainty of their malignant evolution within the 3rd-4th decades of life is now practically an established, extensively documented fact. Recently, new methods of genetic screening, prevention and early diagnosis and, as a result, more advanced treatment protocols have been introduced in clinical practice, thus offering young patients diagnosed as suffering from familial adenomatous polyposis better prospects and a better quality of life. The patient in our case came in for medical observation for abdominal pain experienced close to the scar of a previous appendectomy and for the presence of an abdominal tumefaction on the same side. Initially the patient underwent surgical resection of the growth that proved to be a desmoid tumour of the abdominal wall. The results of the pathology examination and the patients' long-term disease and family history led to a presumptive diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis, which was then confirmed by the appropriate instrumental examinations. Genetic tests on the patient's relatives yielded the same diagnosis in some of them. On the basis of our personal experience and a thorough review of the literature we can safely state that no medical treatment currently available is capable of reducing, let alone definitively eliminating colon polyps. To date, then, the therapeutic options most commonly adopted are colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis and total conservative proctocolectomy with an ano-ileal pouch anastomosis. These two types of surgical procedures yield different results in terms of functional capability and oncological radicality with their respective repercussions on the patient's quality of life. The choice of the most appropriate surgical procedure is made on the basis of a series of parameters such as age, site of the polyps, number of polyps, degree of cell atypia of the polyps, and patient willingness to undergo regular check-ups. The current tendency advocated by the various authors is to perform a total colectomy as soon as possible.

Manifestações extracolônicas da polipose adenomatosa familiar: incidência e impacto na evoluçäo da doença / Extracolonic manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis: incidence and impact on the disease outcome

RACIONAL: A polipose adenomatosa familiar é doença hereditária de caráter autossômico dominante, que freqüentemente se associa a numerosas manifestações extracolônicas. OBJETIVOS: Relatar a incidência de manifestações extracolônicas em nosso meio e analisar seu impacto na evoluçäo da doença. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Revisäo dos prontuários de pacientes com polipose adenomatosa familiar tratados no período de 1977 a 2001, relatando as manifestações extracolônicas associadas e suas complicações. RESULTADOS: Dos 59 pacientes com polipose adenomatosa familiar, 23 (38,9 por cento) apresentaram alguma manifestaçäo extracolônica por ocasiäo do diagnóstico ou no seguimento. Foram registradas 37 diferentes manifestações (1,6 por paciente). As mais comuns foram osteomas e alterações na pigmentaçäo da retina, diagnosticadas em 25 por cento e 20 por cento dos pacientes pesquisados, respectivamente. Outras manifestações extracolônicas achadas foram adenomas do trato digestivo superior, cistos epidermóides, tumores desmóides (sete cada), câncer gástrico (três) e câncer de tireóide (dois). Complicações importantes diretamente relacionadas aos tumores desmóides foram reportadas em seis pacientes, sendo obstruçäo intestinal em quatro e hidronefrose em dois. Registraram-se óbitos em dois pacientes (28,5 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de manifestações extracolônicas é alta (40 por cento), podendo afetar a evoluçäo da doença e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Por esses motivos, torna-se de fundamental importância a pesquisa, a prevençäo e o tratamento adequado dessas manifestações na polipose adenomatosa familiar

Gardner's syndrome in several family members.

This article describes chronologically a case of a fatal hereditary disease, which manifests itself in multiple polyps in the large intestine, accompanied by the appearance of numerous mesenchymal tumors on and under the skin and in the bones. In the Internal Department of the General Hospital Murska Sobota, we diagnosed the disease in one member of the family; in another, we ascertained the illness was retrograde. We confirmed the two cases in our dispensary; one of them remains under the constant surveillance of a gastroenterologist. The disease was in an advanced stage in the two family members at the time of discovery, so the treatment was radical. Nevertheless it terminated fatally. We expect to undertake future radical surgical measures on the other member in whom the disease was diagnosed. In this article, we illustrate the course of Gardner's Syndrome (GS), where in spite of early diagnoses, which now begin with molecular genetics and continues to endoscope examinations, and radical operative intervention, the quality of life of the patient is not improved to any great degree. The patient represents an exceptionally high risk group for the development of other mesenchymal tumors growths and colorectal cancer. The open question is also what is surgical treatment: total colectomy or proctocolectomy and what to do with the ileum when it is full of polyps.

Polyposis coli, craniofacial exostosis and astrocytoma: the concomitant occurrence of the Gardner's and Turcot syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Up to 60% of the patients with known adenomatous polyposis coli may present hyperostosis of the skull and facial bones, and/or a susceptibility to fibromas. This is known as the Gardner's syndrome, and is considered as an allelic variant of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Also, although very rare, an adenomatous polyposis coli may occur with malignant tumors of the central nervous system, known as Turcot syndrome. If both syndromes are different phenotypic presentation of FAP, this would explain a simultaneous occurrence. METHOD: We report the history of a patient who showed clinical signs of the simultaneous occurrence of both Gardner's and Turcot syndromes. The syndromes are compared, and in view of the literature, a genetic explanation for the concomitant occurrence is discussed. RESULTS: Evidence obtained from the literature to consider Turcot syndrome as a phenotype of FAB is as follows: (1) The occurrence of Gardner's and Turcot syndromes in one family, but in different members; (2) The presence of congenital hypertrophic retinal pigmented epithelium (CHRPE), which correlates with the expression of polyps in FAP patients, in both syndromes; (3) Linkage of the Turcot phenotype to the adenomatous polyposis coli locus by genetic markers. Evidence obtained from this case report indicates that there is a manifestation of both syndromes in one patient together with a positive family history for FAP. CONCLUSION: This concomitant occurrence of both Gardner's and Turcot syndromes in one patient clinically supports genetic and ophthalmic investigation to consider Turcot syndrome (like Gardner's syndrome) as a phenotypic variant of FAP. Patients with FAP should be examined for the presence of Gardner's syndrome. In case a Gardner's syndrome is suspected, a computed tomography scan of the brain is recommended because of the possible existence of a simultaneous Turcot syndrome.

Risk of cancer development in the rectal remnant of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis/Gardner's syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Current treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis usually entails total colectomy. However, the question of whether or not to remove the rectum has yet answered decisively. This paper represents an attempt to clarify the position on whether the surgeon should remove the rectum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients from 16 families with the established diagnosis of FAP, or Gardner's syndrome, who had been treated by total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, were followed up by proctoscopy for at least 5 years. The clinical features were compared between the patients with histologically verified rectal cancer and those who had been free from cancer development. RESULTS: During the observation periods ranging from 5 to 27 years (mean, 11.4 years), five rectal cancers were identified in 4 patients. These cancers included two cancers in adenomas, two nonpolypoid cancers, and one invasively ulcerating tumor. While the clinical and pathologic features at surgery and the incidence of colonic cancer in the resected specimen had not differed between the patients with rectal cancer and those without cancer, the former group of patients had more colonic polyps and they tended to have been observed over longer periods than the latter group of patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that clinical features at surgery of patients with FAP are not relevant for predicting the development of rectal cancer during follow-up.

CT of intraabdominal desmoid tumors: is the tumor different in patients with Gardner's disease?

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study of abdominal CT scans of patients with proved intraabdominal desmoid tumors was done to determine if any objective characteristics exist to differentiate desmoids related to Gardner's syndrome from isolated desmoids. Because the desmoid tumors of Gardner's syndrome can predate the diagnosis of Gardner's syndrome, it would be helpful to know which patients with desmoids need careful follow-up studies as well as initial workup for Gardner's syndrome and all its ramifications. Also, it would be important to differentiate benign from malignant desmoids associated with Gardner's syndrome. It was hoped that the location, enhancement characteristics, and/or the presence or absence of infiltration might be of value. We were interested in noting if, over time, the growth characteristics of desmoids found in Gardner's syndrome were different from those of isolated desmoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 101 abdominal CT scans obtained in 23 patients during a 13-year period. Forty desmoid tumors were intraabdominal, including 30 lesions associated with Gardner's syndrome in 13 patients and 10 desmoids of the idiopathic form in 10 patients. These tumors were studied to define location; whether they were single or multiple; and whether they had any specific CT characteristics regarding margins, attenuation numbers, or contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Desmoid tumors associated with Gardner's syndrome were more likely to be multiple (38%, five of 13 patients) and to involve the mesentery (60%, 18 of 30 tumors) and the abdominal wall (40%, 12 of 30 tumors), whereas isolated desmoid tumors were singular (all 10 patients) and were located in the retroperitoneum (six cases), pelvis (three), and anterior wall (one). Desmoids related to Gardner's syndrome also tended to be smaller (mean diameter, 4.8 cm) than idiopathic desmoids (mean diameter, 13.8 cm). No differentiating CT characteristics regarding margins, attenuation numbers, or response to contrast material were ascertained. Ten new lesions (seven intraabdominal, three mesenteric) developed in three patients with Gardner's syndrome, whereas no new intraabdominal lesions developed in patients with idiopathic desmoids. Follow-up data on 16 surgically resected desmoids in nine patients (seven with Gardner's syndrome and two with isolated desmoids) revealed seven local recurrences (two in the two patients with isolated desmoids and five in two patients with Gardner's syndrome). CONCLUSION: No CT characteristics, such as attenuation values, margins, and response to the contrast material, were found that would enable differentiation between isolated intraabdominal desmoids and those associated with Gardner's disease. Desmoid tumors associated with Gardner's syndrome tend to occur in the mesentery and abdominal wall, whereas isolated desmoids involve the retroperitoneum and pelvis. When studying CT scans obtained over time, new lesions were noted to develop in a few of the patients with Gardner's syndrome (three of 13), whereas no new lesions were found in patients with isolated desmoids.

The UK Northern region genetic register for familial adenomatous polyposis coli: use of age of onset, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and DNA markers in risk calculations.

A polyposis register has been established in the Northern Region of England. A total of 48 families with 71 living affected subjects has been identified during the first three years of operation, a prevalence of 2.29 x 10(-5). Indirect ophthalmoscopy identifies the majority of gene carriers by showing multiple areas of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). The absence of this sign in families limits its value where a relative with CHRPE has not been identified. Combining eye examination with data on age of onset and linked DNA markers is highly effective in carrier exclusion; 38% of 528 first, second, and third degree relatives had their carrier risk reduced to less than 1 in 1000. Even with such assurance many subjects will request continued bowel screening at a reduced frequency. Little interest has been shown in prenatal diagnosis. The principal value of a genetic register with domiciliary nurse visiting is the reduction in early mortality among unrecognised gene carriers.

Gastric and duodenal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis: a prospective study of the nature and prevalence of upper gastrointestinal polyps.

One hundred patients with familial adenomatous polyposis have prospectively undergone gastroduodenoscopy to identify and characterise polyps found. Forty six patients had polyps in the stomach or duodenum. Thirty five patients had adenomas (33 in duodenum, two in stomach) and 26 patients had fundic gland polyps. Some of these patients had polyps in the stomach and the duodenum. Adenomas in the duodenum were present in 33% of patients studied with Gardner's syndrome variant (p = 0.04). Adenomas were also more common in older patients. As adenomas may be a precursor of adenocarcinoma, routine surveillance of the stomach and duodenum with gastroduodenoscopy is recommended in patients affected with familial adenomatous polyposis.